Hunger (Damnation Book 1)

Chapter 15 - Second Rule

"A fight club? Are you fucking kidding me?" I yell. "Do I look like someone who fights for fun? I'm not my sister, Gabe. I can't even throw a decent punch."

He smiles at my anger. "My face would suggest otherwise. It's either this or I square a permanent private room at the Backbone without your father's consent. I know a good many Fallen who would probably like to get their hands on you. Not all follow your father and most are pretty angry to be stuck here. They probably have many a creative way to punish you since they can't get their hands on him. I'm sure Michael would love to hear how you are whoring yourself out, as well."

Michael. For a moment, I'd forgotten about Michael. I can't have him hearing about that. I'm better than that. He knows I'm better than that. I don't want him to hate me. I'm sure he would feel betrayed beyond belief if I went back to the Backbone.

"Fine," I retort, absolutely hating this. "When do I fight?" I ask.

"Tomorrow," he answers. "I'd rest up. Enjoy the show."

Turning to him, I hate myself for asking but I don't stop myself. "Will you help me?"

He doesn't answer. It's like my asking for help makes him feel powerful. I hate him with everything in me. I hate him.

I watch the fights. These girls are hard-core. There is some girl on girl fights as well as your traditional guy boxers. My eyes widen when a girl begins wailing on a guy who has at least a hundred pounds on her. Talk about battle of the sexes. There has to be something personal between them. I can feel the hatred sweating out of her pores. My eyes slyly look over to Gabriel and he just grins. I bet he wants me to fight some guys. I'm sure he would love to watch my ass get beat by some asshole that's twice my size.

How am I going to stay alive for this? I'm not a fighter for one. Secondly, I'm sure there is some lust here, but not enough to keep me going. Nothing short of pure, unadulterated desire will keep me sated with the amount of energy I'm going to have to use to get through this. I'm stronger than most humans and I heal faster than they do. I hope I survive. I may be beat, but I want to live, desperately. Even if I have to die, I want Michael to be proud of me. I want him to know he's not the only one that changed. So, I watch and I try to learn how to fight.

I sleep fitfully later that night. I try to remember everything Slade and Cotton ever tried to teach me when I was younger. Cotton was always the nice one. Portia thought Slade was hers, but he always had a soft spot for me. Hell, everyone but her has a soft spot for me. That's what I get for being the baby. Instead of sitting around doing nothing, I shadow box, trying to emulate the style of the other fighters I've seen. I can't get beat bad my first fight. I have to go in guns blazing and make a name. Maybe if Gabriel learns how much trouble I can be, he will let me go. Or I could just wail on him every time I see him. It might get him to kill me more quickly or, silver lining, let me go.

Gabriel brings me clothes for fighting. This isn't just about the fight. The guys want to see our bodies. There will at least be some desire as well as anger and fear radiating through that room. He just waits as I stand there, holding my clothes. "Are you going to leave?" I ask frostily.

He shakes his head. So, I do the only thing I can. I turn my back on him and change my clothes. I pull my hair into a ponytail and take Gabriel's hand. This is going to be hell.

The place is just as packed when we get there, as it was the night before. He throws me into a cage and walks off. Looking around, all the fighters are in cages. Okay, maybe my idea of getting a name for myself was a bad idea. It doesn't look like any of the actual fighters have a choice in this. It's nice and warm, causing droplets of sweat to form on my skin. There is fluorescent lighting spread out above the walkways but the area of the cages is mostly dark. I rattle the door to my cage, but it doesn't budge. Then again, I didn't suspect it would.